A Review on Pharmacognostical and Pharmacological Activities of Lagenaria siceraria Species
The Cucurbitaceae family consists of about 735 species. The present study includes detailed aspects of species of Lagenaria siceraria(Mol.) Standley is a medicinal plant. The plant mainly contains carbohydrates, protein, fats and amino acids. The active constituent of Lagenaria is cucurbitacin, lagenin and various mineral matters. In most of the countries lagenaria has been used as antioxidant, cardiotonic, liver tonic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antihepatotoxic, antitumor, anti HIV, anti proliferative agent. Thus, lagenaria posses broad spectrum of pharmacological activities. Moreover, the entire plant and its parts like fruit, fruit pulp, seeds, epicarp etc. shows medicinally important properties. This review article focuses on the pharmacognostic, phytochemistry and pharmacological profile of Lagenaria.